Ghostbusters mobile game’s sexualized women contradict the new film’s female-friendly approach

Who you gonna call to make a match-3 puzzle game based on your franchise? Capcom!

That gaming developer and publisher is working on just that for the soon-to-be-revitalized Ghostbusters franchise, as IGN originally reported. It’s called Puzzle Fighter, and it’s coming to iOS in June. It’s not the most original idea, but it could help Capcom make a hit in a mobile market that could reach $30 billion, with revenues expected to exceed the console industry’s this year, according to market researcher Newzoo.

It features Ghostbuster characters like Egon and Slimer. It also features an oddly sexualized Janine, a character who was a modestly dressed secretary in the movies. You can see her and a character that looks like Kylie Griffin from the Extreme Ghostbusters cartoon in the pic below, both wearing … revealing Ghostbuster outfits. Seriously, I don’t think shorts can go much higher. Even the previously androgynous Gozer is now sporting a sexy, busty look, as you can see in the picture above.

I don't remember that many bikini tops in Ghostbusters.
I don’t remember that many bikini tops in Ghostbusters.

Puzzle Fighter is similar to other match-3 puzzle games like Candy Crush Saga, but your progress in the puzzle impacts a digital battle, similar to the Puzzle Quest series.

We haven’t had a Ghostbusters film since 1989. However, Sony is currently working on a reboot that will feature an all-female cast, including Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. Somehow, I doubt those girls will have to dress as ridiculously as Janine and Kylie do in this mobile game.

Mike Minotti

Mike Minotti has been with GamesBeat since 2012, starting as an intern. Based near Youngstown, Ohio, he now manages GamesBeat's editorial team. He's also a prolific podcaster, appearing on multiple shows covering the gaming industry.